Yemin Moshe – Page 7 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

20 Signs of Rosh Hashana in Jerusalem

September 21, 2014rjstreets

The end of 5774 is in sight

and signs of the new year are everywhere.

The municipality has posted signs wishing a good year to Jerusalem 5775.

This morning, there are dark circles under many eyes of those

who stayed up late for Selihot prayers, and then woke up early this morning.

The Selichot prayers are scheduled almost non-stop,

and there are even tours to see those who recite the special prayers.

One is to be held in Kikar Safra, the Jerusalem Government Square.

These new signs are for free buses to the Old City,

I had to try one and not walk every time.

Many pre-holiday parties include “raising a cup” to toast the new year,

which makes it a perfect time for road stops to test vehicles and drivers.

But not all police were busy with ticketing or crime this week.

So much to do this short week before Rosh Hashana,

food shopping is crazy and time is stretched to limits.

This man is often seen on skate board walking dogs,

but for first time I saw him pushing a baby stroller.

I wondered ‘his own, or some family short on time?’

Friends who are visiting had time for brunch.

Signs were up for sales, but this restaurant got the first sukka photo for this year.

Every organization is looking for end-of-year donations,

this woman held a sign asking for charity in the Old City,

and this man on Jaffa Street had no sign.

He just held an empty cup.

But there are much prettier sights this time of year,

like these new limes on the tree ready to be picked,

and wonderful flowers, not just outside on the streets,

but inside

getting ready for holiday tables as well.

Public parks have been cleared and private gardens are ready,

since shmita, the year of not working the land, begins at Rosh Hashana.

The notes in the Western Wall,

were overflowing before the holiday clean up,

but no one was going to peek at this message wrapped tightly in blue thread.

New chairs were delivered, all ready for the holiday crowds on the plaza.

It is shofar time,

and after 5774 years

עם ישראל חי

Am Yisrael Chai,

Shana tova.

Cease-Fire #12: Now What Next

August 27, 2014rjstreets

After 11 cease-fire attempts this summer,

where Israel ceased and Hamas kept firing,

this last one seems to be holding.

Almost a full day without red alerts and sirens,

after 50 days Israel is quiet.

People in south can go more than 15 seconds from shelter.

But before Hamas stopped aiming at Israeli civilians,

sadly two men were murdered and

a four-year old boy was killed on his kibbutz,

near the end of this summer barrage of Hamas mortars and missiles.

Though Jerusalem, Israel was not hit

and “only” aimed at a few times,

the streets were eerie quiet this summer.

This summer tourism was way down,

but those tourists who did not cancel had a great time.

One US friend shared photos of her family

enjoying themselves at tourist locations.

On Nasi Street the patriotic flags are gone,

but light poles are covered with blue and white lights.

“Did you know that if you post photos of cute little kittens,

the world will become safe?” a friend posted on Facebook.

I had never heard such a thing,

but it was good to see our neighborhood bully cat was back.

As “normal” returns to Jerusalem, Israel streets,

school starts next week.

I love the “Welcome to First Grade” signs.

Only in Israel is starting first grade a bigger deal

than some university graduations in other parts of the world.

Finally a slow news day.

With the southern border quieter now,

the northern one is warming up with

“spill over” from Syrian fighting.

Cannot help but wonder,

what will happen next on Jerusalem, Israel streets

Jerusalem’s Montefiore Windmill Returns

August 31, 2012rjstreets

Today, after more than 150 years, the afternoon wind was again

turning the blades of the Montefiore Windmill in Jerusalem.

The Windmill, initiated by Sir Moses Montefiore to aid

the “Suffering Jews in the Holy Land” was completed in 1857

and operated for around twenty years.

Montefiore’s goal was to help the poor of the Jewish community

grind their grain for bread and support themselves.

It was the first project built outside the Walls of the Old City

in the Mishkenot Sha’ananim-Yemin Moshe Jewish neighborhood.

The Old City Walls in the distance are easy to see from the plaza,

where a few name cards from the reserved seats were the only sign today of

the Montefiore Windmill rededication and ribbon cutting ceremony

that took place in the evening of August 28, 2012.

A restored Montefiore carriage is now on display behind protective glass

after it was vandalized and burned in 1986.

During the reception the door was open and I was able to go inside.

After months of construction and delays

Jerusalem Foundation president Mark Sofer had plenty to smile about.

The Windmill is not exactly the same as the original though,

as it has an electric motor and security systems.

Maybe it was the crepes,

the ice cream,

or the wine and fruit at the reception,

but everyone seemed to be smiling on Tuesday.

When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks,

there is extra security all around

and extra cameras.

A short video showed the barren area in the 19th century.

What a contrast to the Jerusalem of today.

Christians for Israel from the Netherlands worked hard on this project.

There were Christian representatives from Holland,

as well as the Dutch Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs present.

Jerusalem, Israel Mayor Nir Barkat, like the Prime Minister,

spoke about his childhood experiences playing in the area.

The blades of the windmill started to turn again,

but they are not just there to look at

as an important National Heritage Site,

the plan is to grind grain and sell the bread made from it to the public.

Of course, there were speeches,

it would really be too long to list all the officials present,

however, for a short video click here.

The Prime Minister spoke of the symbol of ruach,

which can be translated as wind or spirit:

there was wind and a beautiful spirit as the Windmill returned.

For more photos see The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook Page.